BELLEVUE – More than 500 Bellevue households so far have taken advantage of free storm debris collection arranged by the city after the Dec. 14 windstorm. As of Jan. 7, residents had hauled a total of 1,444 cubic yards of branches, brush and other leafy storm debris to Pacific Topsoils. The service will continue through Sunday, Jan. 14.

Only one load per household, up to nine cubic yards, will be accepted. This service is provided for the benefit of Bellevue residential customers, and commercial or contractor loads will not be accepted. Residents will need to fill out a short form and show proof of Bellevue residency, such as a driver’s license or utility bill.

The city arranged for the free debris collection after the windstorm blasted the area, knocking down hundreds of trees. City crews and contractors were expected to be done clearing streets until February. Bellevue is asking residents to keep storm debris out of the street and right of way, where it can clog storm drains, cause traffic accidents and/or block emergency vehicles.

Organic yard debris accepted will include leafy materials, branches, limbs and trunks from fallen trees two feet in diameter or less. Residents are limited to one load per household, not to exceed a pickup truck and/or trailer equaling nine cubic yards. Examples of load sizes accepted include: a six- to eight-foot pickup truck bed, holding up to three cubic yards mounded, a pickup truck holding two cubic yards mounded or a trailer holding up to six cubic yards. Passenger car loads will also be accepted.

Neighbors may want to pool their resources to rent a pick-up truck to haul storm debris. For questions or other information, call the city at 425-452-6932.

Bellevue offers weekly yard debris collection for single-family residents, and storm debris will be collected if properly prepared and placed out at the curb on your regular weekly collection day. In addition to the regular green yard debris cart, residents can set out up to three extra units weekly. The three extra units can be large paper leaf bags (available at local hardware stores), bundles prepared appropriately, or 32-gallon containers marked “yard waste.”

For details about storm debris disposal, see the Storm Debris Collection Fact Sheet.